Time to build an inclusive society - Zuma

Johannesburg - The 2010 FIFA World Cup is an example of what a united South Africa could be like, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday.

"Every citizen became an ambassador of our beautiful country," he told the national social cohesion summit in Soweto.

In the build-up to the event, community conversations were held to ask what it meant to be South African.

Many participants identified the unity and national pride of South Africans during the World Cup as a success story.

"It showed us what is possible if we put our country first..." Zuma said.

"We need to ask ourselves whether that is the standard of South Africans that we ask, or if there is more that we should and can do to build the South African vision?"

The summit is being held in Kliptown, where 3 000 delegates of all races met in 1955 to draft the Freedom Charter, which calls for a non-racial South Africa that belongs to all who live in it.

"As leaders we have the responsibility to bring about [the] South Africa as it was envisaged by those who met here," Zuma told the few hundred delegates. This meant building national unity out of multiple identities, he said.

Decisive steps

It would entail dealing with issues that still caused divisions, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, homelessness, and landlessness.

The two-day event is hosted by the arts and culture department.

Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile said the summit would not be a mere talk shop.

"Out of it must come decisive steps," he said.

These included a clear plan of action to heal the wounds of the past and strengthen social cohesion.

Political parties, business leaders, and civil society and government representatives attended.

Among them were National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu, former speaker Frene Ginwala, and Zanele Mbeki, wife of former president Thabo Mbeki.

The summit's theme is: "Working together to create a proud and caring society".

Following Zuma's opening address, delegates were discussing the role of the judiciary, Parliament, political parties, and traditional leaders, among others, in building an inclusive society.

Zuma announced the need for the social cohesion summit in May, following the controversy caused by Brett Murray's painting The Spear, which depicted Zuma with his genitals exposed, and exposed rifts in South African society.

He had previously called for such a summit in 2009.

Comments

al.chemist.7106 - 2012-07-04 14:46

It is very difficult to have an all inclusive unifying society when there are policies in place like affirmative action and BEE that blatantly favour one group of the population. These policies have caused a greater division and even more resentment than there was pre 1994.

charlesdumbwin.dumbwin - 2012-07-04 14:52

ZUMA, does this new society include whites, indians, coloureds, who your own party has been sidelining for the last 10 years now?
I don't think the ANC understand democracy in a rainbow nation.
Stop sidelining South Africans with racist policies like AA and BEE, then we can all feel welcome.

rbphiri - 2012-07-04 14:55

Kate and Tom Cruise have a higher chance of getting together than this happening...this is "Mission Impossible".

rbphiri - 2012-07-04 14:59

BEE leads to laziness among society and fronting from companies to comply with BEE policies, this is why we have less entrepreneurs.

Freddie - 2012-07-04 15:01

Well then stop dividing society Mr ANC president.
All of the uncertainty and division in this country has been caused by the Yoof League, Cosatu, nationalisation talk, land expropriation, BEE, AA... all of which emanate from within the ANC.
Take that timber out of your eye first Zooma.

Jennifer - 2012-07-04 15:03

I may have believed he wanted a happy country,
people working together to make it great for all ...
Until I saw you sing ' shoot the boer' Mr Zuma
with your ANC standing firmly behind you as you sang it.
Bang Bang Bang
You are a poor ambasador for this beautiful country
The ANC has not brought peace even for it's own people
Time for you to go

sean.bagley.50 - 2012-07-04 15:04

@Alicia
"THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM".
I beg to differ. Get rid of the ANC misfits from Government and everything is possible for South Africa. They the ones that's going in the opposite and wrong direction with their pathetic governance. They were good for the struggle theme pre 1994,but that's where it ends sadly. Get the right people in Government and South Africa becomes a whole lot better in our modern times.

downwiththeANC - 2012-07-04 15:05

and all inclusive society that excludes whites....down with the ANC and its racist policies, DOWN!

andrew.hendrikse - 2012-07-04 15:07

Mr Zuma, I've heard this before and not falling for the same trick twice!! Sod off and sort out your corrupt party!!! I, for one am not interested in your cheap talk!!!

philip.venter1 - 2012-07-04 15:15

Wow it took the ANC 18 years to figure this out. This should have happened on the 28th of April 1994. If it took them this long to come to such an easy conclusion, imagine how long it will take for them to actually start taking action. I'm guessing another 50 years or so provided the country hasn't ended up like Zimbabwe by then.

nrgx.nrg - 2012-07-04 15:22

this really gets me mad, its all good and well calling for a unified nation, but watch tomorrow we will hear from thee anc AND their alliance how whites control this, racist that, apartheid here and take land there.
zuma, practice what you preach!

adrien.mcguire - 2012-07-04 16:42

Mr Zuma, if you want an inclusive coutry, then include the whites. Everyday we are blamed for everything, eighteen years on we are blamed for the state of schools, hospitals, corruption etc etc. You need to take a long hard look at the "ANC speak" before you issue comments such as this.
You and your incompetant, corrupt cronies are the biggest dividers in this country.
I suggest you take a look inwards first, because the biggest acts of racialism come from your mouth and those of your cronies.
You will never win the heats and minds of the white population, let alone their respect if you carry on the way you do !

scouter.fourone - 2012-07-04 17:10

From the photo - it looks like JZ is checking out his credentials.

sean.bagley.50 - 2012-07-04 17:17

@scouter.fourone
It also looks like he and the two fellas to his right and the guy to his left are all praying.

Vince.York - 2012-07-04 18:00

I'm sure no-one caught the usual quiet snigger and chortle with the middle finger pushing up the 'spear like cartilage' as has become customary after every on stage "showtime" pronouncements - while some beady little slit eyes searched for any flapping skirts.
There is always more than double speak going down - especially once it gets going from the New Nat megaphone to the 14 or so officially poisoned forked and barbed blackened tongues in community radios and mpimpi and i'ndunas' murky huts.

rbphiri - 2012-07-04 14:46

Another fairy tale MR President?

alan.gernet - 2012-07-04 15:07

Eish - WTF? Has the Pres. dumped his race cards along with the text books?

scebberish.umfazi - 2012-07-04 16:25

The world cup was a succcess story?
We have a National Roads upgrade progarm we cannot pay for and now and to toll the working class into deeper poverty , we have mega-stadiums we cannot pay for or sustain and want to turn into low cost housing..... Yes, it was a great success.

nigel.vanysendyk - 2012-07-04 14:47

"Time to build an inclusive society" 1st intelligent thing he has said since taking office, but why then Mr President do you & your party advocate & condone hate speech, racism, & division, seems like you are saying one thing & doing another. Maybe time to put actions to your words,THE ONLY TIME SA WILL BE A SUCCESS, is when all people of SA work together for the greater good of the country, as long as we have racists, both black & white, both in politics & in business, we are going backwards. Our leaders, including you, need to stand up & speak out against racism, against, intolerance, against, hate speech!!!!!

richard.hipkin - 2012-07-04 14:49

Ordinary people are already integrating, it is politicians and criminals that keep that wedge firmly in place.

charlesdumbwin.dumbwin - 2012-07-04 14:52

You forget the ANCYL

danny.archer.589 - 2012-07-04 15:01

...and the people who keep voting for the politicians that keep the wedge firmly in place.

themba.thwala.98 - 2012-07-04 15:02

Charles the ancyl is a political party made up of politicians

alan.gernet - 2012-07-04 15:08

@Themba - I can think of another word, other than politicians. hmm same thing really.

glyn.morgan.96 - 2012-07-04 16:53

Zuma, come to Pinelands in Cape Town. It is the most integrated suburb in South Africa. You will see a DA suburb living in peace!

richard.sloman.5 - 2012-07-04 14:50

So in the spirit of dealing with issues that still caused divisions, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, homelessness, and landlessness, lets buy a new plane to show the rest of the World how desperately we need their funding and support...

Ryno - 2012-07-04 14:50

stop saying the same things over and over and over and over prez!!!!! how many times must we hear the same message???????????????

Ze Don - 2012-07-04 15:18

Either Stalin or Lenin said; Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth...

rory.audie - 2012-07-04 15:36

ze don I think it may have been Hitler..... Be afraid...

lynn.syme.1 - 2012-07-04 14:50

I smell an election call here. He has said this before and then driven his spear through all hopes of a rainbow nation. Ubuntu and the Rainbow nation is a myth.

BigChiefPlumbPudding - 2012-07-04 15:12

Indeed. Or in the SA context I believe we could use the word 'fable'?

althea.meintjies - 2012-07-04 14:51

I find it very strange that they are having the summit in Kliptown yet a stone throw away from Kliptown square many people are still living in shacks and don't even have decent sanitary services, I wonder did they turn their heads the other side when they drove past Kliptown's poor area....Those people has never demonstrated never blocked any roads and never burned down any councillor's house yet they are living in this condition for over a decade and what does the ANC do for them? Absolutely Nothing

sean.bagley.50 - 2012-07-04 14:52

Get rid of BEE,AA and quotas for a start and then you on the way of an "inclusive society".You'll never have real optimism for the country with such things still in place.

jack.oosthuysen - 2012-07-04 14:53

First break down the barriers.

Gavin - 2012-07-04 14:55

is it just me or does zuma sound like he's been taking drugs that cause hallucinations - he sounds like he's the only dude with the surfboard at zoo lake, wondering when the waves will like hey....arrive ?

richard.compere.7 - 2012-07-04 15:02

Stop talking..... start doing!!! You are the laughing stock of the world.

charlesdumbwin.dumbwin - 2012-07-04 15:04

I think that's Malema, but ShowerHead is a close second.
Damn the Spear!

ec.van.niekerk - 2012-07-04 15:05

Mr Zuma ... thank you but NO THANK YOU ... I can not bring myself to your inclusive unifying society. I have standards to uphold and corruption, nepotism, bribery, steeling, killing etc etc is just not my way of life!!!!!

scebberish.umfazi - 2012-07-04 16:15

You forgot Rape!

andrew.mckenzie.566 - 2012-07-04 15:09

His Excellency President Jaob Zuma (as named by the Black managaement Forum) talks a far better game than he plays. He must be bottom licking so he can get a new aeroplane!

Allan - 2012-07-04 15:14

Forget the Freedom Charter of 1955 and move on to the next century - 2012 is a good starting point to include all races, religions etc as in the Constitution as being equal. This includes scrapping AA and BEE which is the cornerstone of the NEW APARTHEID of the ANC

trevor.bush.9655 - 2012-07-04 15:15

Zuma will be replaced very soon, he's trying out of despiration to curry favour with everyone ESPECIALLY the black youth by now pushing the land reform Green Bill which is NOTHING different to what Julius was crying for and what had him "fired" in the end. Only difference is, Julius used aggression, Zuma uses legislation sugar coated with shyte, in the end the same outcome,nationalisation, ALL NON blacks being forced out of this rainbow nation through legislation and taxes. In the end, even the middle income black person will suffer once the non blakcs have been "removed" as the poor far outweight the middle class and the ANC leaders are not in it for "the people" as proven DAILY..they in it for themselves, just ike every other African Country run by a "revolutionary organisation".SA is heading one way and all we need is a small spark and with Zuma calling the SWC a success just shows you, the ANC has NO regard for the citizens, they talk to us like we are idiots.Time to sell up and leave SA, while you can.

Cabral Edoardo Humbane - 2012-07-04 15:19

& go where Europe ?

pierre.dupreez.58 - 2012-07-04 15:31

Dear Mr Zuma, chat to your mates in the ANC and remind them that it is all about RSA FIRST, NOT ANC first then we can talk...........if only...

Tiaan Liebenberg - 2012-07-04 15:35

Agree. It can even be extended to skin colour. An inclusive society for the ruling paradigm ends at a given skin colour. And dare you to point it out, you are labelled as racist.

Sakhiwo - 2012-07-04 15:34

Something that should've been done from 1994 already.Our democracy shoold've been based on freedom charter.

Wesley Bischoff - 2012-07-04 18:34

You want to go from a new free constitution to an outdated charter written 50 years ago?
Eish

justin.holland.50596 - 2012-07-04 15:34

So stop stealing our money Mr. Prez and maybe the country will come back together. Dang...........

glyn.morgan.96 - 2012-07-04 15:37

Get rid of racist BEE and AA then this "inclusive" society will start to cook! Otherwise the racists are out in the cold.
Vote DA.

kenny.liebenberg - 2012-07-04 15:41

Sorry Zuma! I do not trust people who STEALS AND RAPE!

schalk.mattheys - 2012-07-05 13:23

ssmona...
Bru, I fell sorry for you, the pres is raping the whole of SA, including you, he's so good at it, you don't even know its happening to you...

eric.martinsich - 2012-07-04 15:45

Now we are talking!! I am all for this. If al the leaders can stand together we can build this mighty nation mightier.

scebberish.umfazi - 2012-07-04 16:20

This mighty nation? You need to travel more, Haiti is mightier than this lot

Vaaldonkie - 2012-07-04 15:47

I refuse to lower my standards.

peter.fraser.92754 - 2012-07-04 15:50

Dear Mr President,
While the ANC and its Associates think that the white people of this country is its enemy and the cause of all the problems in this country,you will NEVER have unity. And the sad part is, You and your Associates (oops forgot,it is the Tri Party Alliance plus Ancyl etc) are sowing more and more division every day.Your speech writers try and be occassion pleasers......tomorrow at another occassion the whites are sh*t again, depends who the audience are.

glyn.morgan.96 - 2012-07-04 15:52

@RPhiri - You will be surprised (very pleasantly surprised) what would happen if the racist BEE and AA were dropped! There would be a very quick and very big rise in investment and that would lead to a matching rise in employment. An across the board rise in employment would reduce poverty in a short time. It would not guarantee instant richest for anybody, which is the case now with BEE. There should be checks against the old apartheid policies coming back as well as new racist tendencies. A strong Equal Opportunity" law would do the trick.
If Zuma is serious about this inclusive society he should put his money where his mouth is. He tends to say what the audience wants to hear. If all citizens are not included, as is the case now, South Africa will continue to be an international joke. I was in a taxi in Shanghai and the drive was laughing at Zuma who had been visiting China at that time. Very embarrassing!
Have you been out of South Africa lately? You would get the picture.
It would help Zuma to change his mind if you vote DA. Give him a big fright!

neville.watson.94 - 2012-07-04 16:18

They only cater for their people , BEE

thabani.alfred - 2012-07-04 16:51

We will not give up on u white folks, we know not all of u r racist n roten like da once who comments on news 24...

thabani.alfred - 2012-07-04 16:51

We will not give up on u white folks, we know not all of u r racist n roten like da once who comments on news 24...

osama.pascal - 2012-07-04 16:53

Dream on Msholozi. We don't like each other. No wait. We don't love one another. Period. I couldn't care less. All I care is some people deserves to be put into their place.

grace.andtruth.77 - 2012-07-04 17:07

Little too late to paint a pretty picture Zooms... Get into your new toy with 299 of your mates and test it oVer the Bermuda triangle why don't you? You have lied and cheated your OWN people, its just a pity that the majority of YOUR voters are kept in the dark and lied to about what's REALLY happening!

TheVern69 - 2012-07-04 17:43

Liar liar rapist on fire! Give the presidency to the new police chief!! She's got brains!!

winifred.watson.9 - 2012-07-04 18:33

Zuma you talk but we dont understand what you actually getting at. You have proved over and over again just to say things you know people want to hear but in reality you cant or wont put it into action. You are well known for speaking with a forked tongue. If you want all south africans to be equal and live happily, stop blaming everything on apartheid and start making things work. 18 years down the line and the ANC with their greed have stuffed up. Just look at the millions or rather billions that have been stolen of taxpayers monies. Now instead of exploiting the poor that money could have been used to give a poor family a good start in life. If they want to be like the drunk man and drink the money away, thats nobody's problem but his. So this crying about and losing sleepless nights about the poor is a charade. Everybody had the same chance to make something of their lives, the minority were held back so the majority could get a foot in the door. Dont blame the minority for those who did'nt take the opportunity. Your Unions stuffed up to, and they are still keeping people unemployed. In hard times a job is a job. Time to start a fresh no more discrimination, no more laziness, no more fraud or corruption. Open up the job market, give people another chance to pick themselves up. Your own youth are saying they do believe anything you say. For once stand up and be a leader and stop the underhand nonsense, we can see through your looking glass.

emile.vanrayner.7 - 2012-07-04 18:43

nope... he said landlessness... i know exactly where this is going. go suck a duck zuma

charnelle.bester - 2012-07-04 19:27

Less yadda yadda yadda, more ching ching.. Zoomer your double standards are disgracefull, you either dont have the spine to stand firm to one decision or your just simply a gold fish shower head.